Is a room with a balcony worth the extra money?

Question

Right now we have booked a room with a window and thats fine with me....but my mom is considering getting a balcony room, She heard its really worth it. Its around $150-200 more though.

Answer 1

I started cruising about 20 years ago when just about every cruise ship had no balconies except for some suites.  So I have had inside cabins and cabins with portholes and cabins with a nice picture window.  Believe me the balcony cabin is THE best and worth the money to help you enjoy your cruise. I will not even go on a cruise ship that does not offer balcony cabins.  And, consider this, in the past 7 to 9 years the cruise industry has recognized the importance of balcony cabins by now making their new ships with MOSTLY balcony cabins.

Now you as a young lady may not want to spend any time in the cabin.  But your mother may want to just relax and have quiet time and read in the cabin and the balcony will definitely make that possible at a higher level than sitting in a room with a window.  Its kinda like sitting in a room looking out the window versus sitting on the porch or deck seeing and feeling more of the same thing.

Those people who say the inside and outside cabins are all that you will need or want have not experienced the benefit of waking at 3:00 AM and stepping out on the balcony to feel the warm sea breeze in the Caribbean and hear the ocean, and see the stars, and sit for a while before returning to bed.  They have not experienced ordering breakfast room service and sitting on the balcony for breakfast (half dressed too).  They have not experienced the feeling of having  a much larger room when you open the curtain and have a floor to ceiling sliding door.  They have  not found the benefit of having your own private space to go to after you tire of people being around chatting about what they did yesterday.  The bottom line for me, and I heard the people on the travel channel say this too, if you have a balcony cabin you will use it and enjoy it more than you will an inside or outside cabin.  There is no way that sitting in a room with no window or one with a porthole or small window is the same as having a balcony.

Answer 2

I'm not sure if this is true with all lines, but with Carnival, if you're booked in a "guarantee" room (you pick the type of room you want, not the exact room #), there a chance of getting upgraded for free. Basically what happens is, if all the rooms of your selection sell out, you'll be upgraded for free to a higher level room. If they don't sell out, you'll be put in a room of the level you selected.

If you definitely want the balcony, go for the upgrade by paying the money. In my opinion, it's definitely worth it. It's great when leaving ports (especially departing from the home port). Usually all the room along the side rails is taken up and you might not get a good view, but if you have a balcony, you have your own space to wave goodbye to everyone on land! Also, we like waking up early and having coffee and danish on our private balcony, watching the sunrise. It's really great. If you're a reader, the open decks might be too noisy for you. If you want to enjoy the weather, while having peace and quiet reading, you can just go out on your balcony.

If you can't picture yourself using the balcony too much, maybe it won't be worth it. But if you would enjoy sitting on your balcony, then go for it! If it's only $150-200 more total, I say give it a try. The worst that could happen would be you never use the balcony. If it's $150-200 more per person, then you should think harder about it, as that would be a good amount more.

I hope you make the right decision! Either way, I'm sure you'll have fun.

Answer 3

It depends how active you are. Our first cruise, we only slept and showered in the cabin---- so then NO balcony, or even window would be ok. We actually had oceanview (1st one). We learned from there, to book cheap inside cabins.

A cheap cabin on a great ship is better than a great cabin on a lousy ship. And I would rather go twice as often, and go "inside".

If "mom" is sedate, invalid, etc- --- and plans to spend a lot of time in the cabin, only THEN would I think it is worth the extra $$$.

Too much to see, too much to do, too much to eat to just sit in the cabin....

Answer 4

Yes, by all means, get a cabin with a balcony.  It is great to sit on the balcony early in the morning and have your coffee or at night and look at the moon and stars.

If you come back from your port and have some time before the ship sails, it is fun to sit on the balcony and watch for the passengers dash up to the ship before the gangway is lifted.

The little bit of balcony also gives a larger feel to the entire cabin.

Go for it.

Answer 5

It is something we sould all do at least once. I enjoy a balcony cabin. I can sit out there is the morning and drink my coffee... Its peaceful and I can do it in my underwear or naked if I choose.

If money is tight get and inside cabin and use the extra money during your ports.

Join a cruise group...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cruiseaddi...

Answer 6

Most people don't spend much time in their cabins but if mom wants to kick back, relax, and enjoy the quiet time on the water, then a balcony is definitely worth it for her.

Answer 7

Keep in mind that the only thing you really do in the room is sleep and shower. Personally, I think a balcony is a waste of money. If I want to seclude myself. I'll stay home. I'd spend my outdoor time on the lido deck. We've always booked an inside cabin. Once you've cruised with the same cruise line more than once, you have a good chance of getting a surprise upgrade. That's happened to us.

Bon Voyage!!

Answer 8

Once a balcony - ALWAYS a balcony!!!!!

I would never cruise in anything but a balcony cabin!

Life is too short to worry about a couple of hundred dollars!

Not only does your mother DESERVE it - you do as well!

Live everyday as if it were your last!

Answer 9

Yes, it most definitely is worth the extra money. Just being able to have the fresh sea air in your stateroom makes it worth the extra money.

You'll be visiting her cabin often if she does.

Answer 10

I would say.

Is this a town you frequent often? If it isn't then go for it.

Money comes and goes....

Memories last a life time :)

Answer 11

YES!  We always get a suite with a balcony.  People who way you never spend time in your room - don't have nice rooms.  We spend alot of time on the balcony - eating breakfast out there every morning.  Having a cocktail at night.  It is WONDERFUL.

Answer 12

It's definitely worth it.  During "down" time, it's very pleasant to sit out on the balcony and just relax and watch the ocean roll by.

Answer 13

if you have the funds, do it!

Answer 14

well it depends...i have been on 7 cruises and have had a balcony once which to me was not worth it because we were hardly in the room. however my other family members found it well worth it because in the morning they would love to sit outside on the balcony and eat breakfast and have a cup of coffee. it also may depend on where the cruise is going...if you are going to a place like alaska then yes it is most definetly worth it.

Answer 15

It depends how much time you're going to spend in your cabin.  If you'll only use it for sleeping, showering, and getting dressed, then a balcony is not necessary.  It's an added expense that you won't be using much, kind of like cable for someone who hardly ever watches TV.  Of course, with an inside cabin, you won't have any cues other than the clock for what time of day it is.  So when you wake up in the morning, don't be surprised if it's dark in the room.  As for getting fresh air, sightseeing, or just enjoying the view, that can be easily done on public decks.

On the other hand, if you will be spending a lot of time in the cabin sitting and relaxing, then a balcony is nice.  You can open the balcony door to get some fresh air, or sit on the balcony and look at the ocean.  This is especially true if  the ship is large and crowds make you uncomfortable.  As a bonus, you'll know that it's morning when you wake up, because there'll be light in the room.

As a compromise between the two, just get an outside cabin with a window.  It offers some of the best of both worlds.  It costs less than a balcony cabin, but still lets in outside light.  But I guess the final decision is what you and your mother can agree on.

Answer 16

We had a balcony on our last cruise, and I will always want one now.  It was very relaxing and peaceful to just sit and listen to the waves.  We left the balcony doors open all night, and the waves lulled us to sleep.  It was a three week cruise, so maybe that factored in.

Answer 17

If you are even in the SLIGHTEST BIT claustrophobic, it's money well spent.  Not to mention that you don't have to stand at the PUBLIC rail with ALL the other passengers for sightseeing!

I ALWAYS have a balcony - or I don't go.  My hubby is a travel agent.  :)

Answer 18

Pros: The rooms are often a little larger. On some HAL ships, the bathrooms have tubs. Veranda is a convenient place for a smoke or eliminating tan lines.

Cons: Most verandas are cramped, barely enough for two chairs and  a tiny table. Typically, only one of the chairs can be reclined. Can be very windy, especially in the winter months. Some "sloped" Princess designs do not afford privacy. Sun area is limited by the direction of the ship and time of day. May not be a quiet place depending on your location on the ship. OK for coffee but, IMO, it's not worth the hassel of a room service breakfast in the cramped area.

Having said that, worth it only if you plan to use it a lot. Most people don't. If this is your first trip, save your money. Almost guaranteed, you'll meet someone who has booked one and won't mind if you check it out. (Even better if they have a suite!) If you enjoy the cruise experience, you'll be going again and you'll have a better idea whether it's worth it to you.